Chuck Todd: GOP Actually to Blame for Obama Denying Red Line Comments

NewsBusters.org ^ | September 5, 2013 | Kyle Drennan

[Kaslin]

On Wednesday's MSNBC Daily Rundown, minutes after President Obama denied setting a "red line" on Syria's use of chemical weapons, chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd excused the obvious falsehood: "I think it was clear that the President was trying to depersonalize the Syria issue a little bit....to say, you know, 'Stop making this about the President personally, depersonalize this.'" [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]

Following those instructions from Obama, Todd proceeded to blame Republicans for the President trying to distance himself from his own red line: "...there are some House Republicans who are looking at this only view – through the prism of their disagreements and dislike for President Obama rather than the policy itself. And so [the White House is] trying to make the policy argument, 'Forget who's in the seat as commander-in-chief, would the United States believe this was a red line no matter who was president?'"

NBC's Todd Blames GOP for Obama's Denial of Setting Syria Red Line

On NBC, Todd spun Obama contradicting himself as simply having "redefined" the red line. Todd declared: "The President is making the case that this is everybody's problem on Capitol Hill, everybody's problem in the world community."

Here is a transcript of the September 4 exchange:

KRISTEN WELKER: President Obama and the prime minister of Sweden wrapping up a news conference there in Stockholm. President Obama calling on the international community to take action in Syria. That press conference largely dominated by the topic of Syria.

I want to bring in my colleague and friend Chuck Todd, who is traveling with the President in Stockholm. Chuck, at times the President sounded defensive. He said, quote, "My credibility is not on the line, the international community's credibility is on the line." And he dodged a question about what he would do if Congress doesn't give him the green light. What were your takeaways?

CHUCK TODD: Well, Kristen, I think it was clear that the President was trying to depersonalize the Syria issue a little bit. And that red line explanation is one that senior advisors made over the weekend right after, you know, when they held a background briefing about the President's decision on Saturday, when he made that announcement that he was going to Congress. They were asked about this issue of the so-called red line.

It's a question – it came actually in response way back in August 2012. It was during the heat of the campaign, campaign press conference. And I had asked him about Syria, just simply about if he was concerned about the security of the chemical weapons. And then when he talked about it, that's when he indicated if the use of chemical weapons, that that would be a red line for him. And that's when that phrase first sort of entered the current political debate.

But on this issue, it seemed to me it was the White House's intention on Saturday, and the President today, to say, you know, "Stop making this about the President personally, depersonalize this."

And part of that reason, Kristen, is that there are some House Republicans who are looking at this only view – through the prism of their disagreements and dislike for President Obama rather than the policy itself. And so they're trying to make the policy argument, "Forget who's in the seat as commander-in-chief, would the United States believe this was a red line no matter who was president?" And that's been the argument they're making. That's the argument they're making on the Hill. We'll see if it works.

[svcw]

to the headline: rotflmao

[a fool in paradise]

“Bush’s fault!”

[Qwackertoo]

and thus he so deservedly earns and confirms his name “F Chuck Todd”. Moron.

[originalbuckeye]

How do these people sleep at night??? And why do they still have people who believe ANYTHING they say?

[Rusty0604]

ditto that!

[Amagi]

When Obama steps in it the lame stream journoHacks jostle to be the first to lick his boots clean.

[Cheerio]

[Diogenesis]

Chuck Todd acts like he is Obama’s toilet butler.

Happy, and shameless, he is in that task.

[LongWayHome]

We have the same “MEDIA” that Nazi Germany had in the 1930s.....in the bag for the ruling class.

[jersey117]

NBC news has about as much credibility as Obama.

[Maceman]

the President today, to say, you know, "Stop making this about the President personally, depersonalize this."

Funny. The President, Mr. "My Military", who never fails to frame every single issue and decision in terms of I, me, my, all of a sudden wants to depersonalize things.

I really hate how insanely surreal everything has become.

[Venturer]

Obama blames the Republicans for the skid marks in his underwear.

[Navy Patriot]

Why if the whole world would just quit screwing things up, Obama could finally get something done.

[BenLurkin]

[BenLurkin]

He IS a skidmark.

[skeeter]

"Journalists" now openly arguing in favor of Democrats.

Its easy to spot a undercover 'rat - they're the ones who can never bring themselves to acknowledge that opposition to progressive/statist policies might just be principled.

Progressives/statists think in political terms 100% of the time, therefore they think their opponents do the same.

[Figment]

” would the United States believe this was a red line no matter who was president?”

I wouldn’t give a good rats ass who was president. Let muslims gas muslims till the cows come home in their civil war. Keep an eye on it to make sure it is contained and don’t interfere

[OpusatFR]

Blllllaaaaatttttttt

Sorry the GOP/Bush Card expired with your Racist card at about the same time.

If you have another Excuse Card to process, please proceed.

If not, STFU.

[NELSON111]

>>>Chuck Todd acts like he is Obama’s toilet butler.

Otherwise known as "The groom of the stool..."